OT: The wonders of Google!

A dear, dear friend of mine was diagnosed with high blood pressure
last year and had to begin a course of meds. He is overweight but
apart from that has healthy cholesterol levels etc.

He was checked over every 3 months and his BP stayed highed. The
doctor and consultant were baffled as to why his BP remains high, even
with the meds.

As many of you know, constant high BP can cause major problems and
result in stroke or heart attack. As I love my friend, I went
googling! I typed in "anamalous causes of elevated blood pressure".
Hundreds of pages swept up onto my screen - all referring to "sleep
apnea".

It took another 3 months or so for me to persuade my friend that he
may be suffering with this condition - but eventually he got himself
off back to the docs, mentioned apnea - 2 months later he was in a
sleep clinic and guess what?

He had one of the worst cases they had ever seen - he is getting the
equivalent of 2 hours a night and judging from past symptoms has
probably suffered with it for nearly 10 years! With the apnea, lack of
sleep, etc he was on his way to major medical catastrophe.

He is back to the clinic to day to get a special breathing apparatus
that will keep him breathing at night.

Why does it take a curious person to sort these things out!!!!!!!!

On 12 May, 09:04, Helen Back <SiriusC...@hotmail.co.uk> wrote:
> A dear, dear friend of mine was diagnosed with high blood pressure
> last year and had to begin a course of meds. *He is overweight but
> apart from that has healthy cholesterol levels etc.
>
> He was checked over every 3 months and his BP stayed highed. *The
> doctor and consultant were baffled as to why his BP remains high, even
> with the meds.
>
> As many of you know, constant high BP can cause major problems and
> result in stroke or heart attack. *As I love my friend, I went
> googling! *I typed in "anamalous causes of elevated blood pressure".
> Hundreds of pages swept up onto my screen - all referring to "sleep
> apnea".
>
> It took another 3 months or so for me to persuade my friend that he
> may be suffering with this condition - but eventually he got himself
> off back to the docs, mentioned apnea - 2 months later he was in a
> sleep clinic and guess what?
>
> He had one of the worst cases they had ever seen - he is getting the
> equivalent of 2 hours a night and judging from past symptoms has
> probably suffered with it for nearly 10 years! With the apnea, lack of
> sleep, etc he was on his way to major medical catastrophe.
>
> He is back to the clinic to day to get a special breathing apparatus
> that will keep him breathing at night.
>
> Why does it take a curious person to sort these things out!!!!!!!!

Excuse my typing of "anomalous" - I've notisd my speeling is atroshus
latly! :P

Helen Back <SiriusC-63@hotmail.co.uk> wrote:
> [ . . . ]
> He had one of the worst cases they had ever seen - he is getting the
> equivalent of 2 hours a night and judging from past symptoms has
> probably suffered with it for nearly 10 years! With the apnea, lack of
> sleep, etc he was on his way to major medical catastrophe.
>
> He is back to the clinic to day to get a special breathing apparatus
> that will keep him breathing at night.
>
> Why does it take a curious person to sort these things out!!!!!!!!

Hi Helen. I'm glad he's finally getting the proper treatment.

My son-in-law, who's barely in his 30's, had a couple of visits to the ER
with extreme hypertension. They gave him meds, but it kept recurring. They
finally figured out that it was lack of sleep. He was working nights,
jogging, weight lifting, doing Thai kick boxing and he and my daughter have
three kids, ages 2, 4 and 6. Now that he's getting 7 to 8 hours sleep a
night, he's fine. ;-)

I go to bed late, but I get 7-1/2 to 9 hours sleep a night.

--
Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their families!
I've known US vets who served as far back as the Spanish American War. They
are all my heroes! Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not
forgotten. Thanks ! ! ~Semper Fi~

On Mon, 12 May 2008 01:04:35 -0700 (PDT), Helen Back
<SiriusC-63@hotmail.co.uk> wrote:

>
>Why does it take a curious person to sort these things out!!!!!!!!

Excellent question. Try asking the AMA.

Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
d&e, metformin 1500mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
--
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com
Latest:What to Eat Until You Get Your Meter.
and Cambodia
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/2008/03/cambodia.html

convicted friend Helen Back wrote:

http://HeartMDPhD.com/Convicts/PrayForHelen

> A dear, dear friend of mine was diagnosed with high blood pressure
> last year and had to begin a course of meds. He is overweight but
> apart from that has healthy cholesterol levels etc.
>
> He was checked over every 3 months and his BP stayed highed. The
> doctor and consultant were baffled as to why his BP remains high, even
> with the meds.
>
> As many of you know, constant high BP can cause major problems and
> result in stroke or heart attack. As I love my friend, I went
> googling! I typed in "anamalous causes of elevated blood pressure".
> Hundreds of pages swept up onto my screen - all referring to "sleep
> apnea".
>
> It took another 3 months or so for me to persuade my friend that he
> may be suffering with this condition - but eventually he got himself
> off back to the docs, mentioned apnea - 2 months later he was in a
> sleep clinic and guess what?
>
> He had one of the worst cases they had ever seen - he is getting the
> equivalent of 2 hours a night and judging from past symptoms has
> probably suffered with it for nearly 10 years! With the apnea, lack of
> sleep, etc he was on his way to major medical catastrophe.
>
> He is back to the clinic to day to get a special breathing apparatus
> that will keep him breathing at night.
>
> Why does it take a curious person to sort these things out!!!!!!!!

The breathing apparatus (CPAP) is neither well-tolerated nor the cure
for sleep apnea.

Losing the VAT (black fat) cures sleep apnea:

http://HeartMDPhD.com/BlackFat

Indeed, when people are physically forced through bariatric surgery to
eat less, their sleep apnea goes away.

Thus, it remains smarter to eat less, down to the right amount, in
order to lose the black fat:

http://HeartMDPhD.com/BeSmart

Here is that simple parable given in hopes of promoting much greater
understanding:

http://HeartMDPhD.com/Parable

Life in these industrialized countries is essentially life in blessed
feed lots.

<><

http://HeartMDPhD.com/HolySpirit/Counsels

Helen Back <SiriusC-63@hotmail.co.uk> wrote:
> A dear, dear friend of mine was diagnosed with high blood pressure
> last year and had to begin a course of meds. He is overweight but
> apart from that has healthy cholesterol levels etc.

> He was checked over every 3 months and his BP stayed highed. The
> doctor and consultant were baffled as to why his BP remains high, even
> with the meds.

> As many of you know, constant high BP can cause major problems and
> result in stroke or heart attack. As I love my friend, I went
> googling! I typed in "anamalous causes of elevated blood pressure".
> Hundreds of pages swept up onto my screen - all referring to "sleep
> apnea".

> It took another 3 months or so for me to persuade my friend that he
> may be suffering with this condition - but eventually he got himself
> off back to the docs, mentioned apnea - 2 months later he was in a
> sleep clinic and guess what?

> He had one of the worst cases they had ever seen - he is getting the
> equivalent of 2 hours a night and judging from past symptoms has
> probably suffered with it for nearly 10 years! With the apnea, lack of
> sleep, etc he was on his way to major medical catastrophe.

> He is back to the clinic to day to get a special breathing apparatus
> that will keep him breathing at night.

> Why does it take a curious person to sort these things out!!!!!!!!

I suspect many doctors simply aren't getting enough sleep :-)

Incidentally, I find that the amount I snore (and suffer from sleep
apnea) is critically related to my weight. If I gain a few pounds it
gets worse. If I lose a few pounds it gets better. I said "I find" but
it is my wife who makes the snoring and apnea observations :-)

And it's an oversimplification to say "weight". It's not weight, it's
fatness. For example, in the last year I haven't lost any weight but
my snoring and mild apnea have both decreased a lot. And I've lost at
least one belt notch round the waist. So I've lost fat but gained
muscle, thus not losing any weight.

--
Chris Malcolm cam@infirmatics.ed.ac.uk DoD #205
IPAB, Informatics, JCMB, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK
[http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/]

convicted friend Chris Malcolm wrote:
> convicted friend Helen Back <SiriusC-63@hotmail.co.uk> wrote:
>
> > A dear, dear friend of mine was diagnosed with high blood pressure
> > last year and had to begin a course of meds. He is overweight but
> > apart from that has healthy cholesterol levels etc.
>
> > He was checked over every 3 months and his BP stayed highed. The
> > doctor and consultant were baffled as to why his BP remains high, even
> > with the meds.
>
> > As many of you know, constant high BP can cause major problems and
> > result in stroke or heart attack. As I love my friend, I went
> > googling! I typed in "anamalous causes of elevated blood pressure".
> > Hundreds of pages swept up onto my screen - all referring to "sleep
> > apnea".
>
> > It took another 3 months or so for me to persuade my friend that he
> > may be suffering with this condition - but eventually he got himself
> > off back to the docs, mentioned apnea - 2 months later he was in a
> > sleep clinic and guess what?
>
> > He had one of the worst cases they had ever seen - he is getting the
> > equivalent of 2 hours a night and judging from past symptoms has
> > probably suffered with it for nearly 10 years! With the apnea, lack of
> > sleep, etc he was on his way to major medical catastrophe.
>
> > He is back to the clinic to day to get a special breathing apparatus
> > that will keep him breathing at night.
>
> > Why does it take a curious person to sort these things out!!!!!!!!
>
> I suspect many doctors simply aren't getting enough sleep :-)
>
> Incidentally, I find that the amount I snore (and suffer from sleep
> apnea) is critically related to my weight. If I gain a few pounds it
> gets worse. If I lose a few pounds it gets better. I said "I find" but
> it is my wife who makes the snoring and apnea observations :-)
>
> And it's an oversimplification to say "weight". It's not weight, it's
> fatness.

Even more specifically, it's the black fat (VAT):

http://HeartMDPhD.com/BlackFat

> For example, in the last year I haven't lost any weight but
> my snoring and mild apnea have both decreased a lot. And I've lost at
> least one belt notch round the waist. So I've lost fat but gained
> muscle, thus not losing any weight.

Indeed, the PIACs from black fat cause muscle atrophy:

http://HeartMDPhD.com/BeSmart

<><

http://HeartMDPhD.com/HolySpirit/Counsels

"Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD" <love25@thetruth.com> wrote in message
.....
> Losing the VAT (black fat) cures sleep apnea...

Yet another reason you have no business practicing medicine. You make
sweeping claims you can't back up, and sleep docs will tell you that not all
sleep anea is caused by fat. Though fat may be a major factor in most
people, there are many people who suffer from sleep apnea because of
obstructions caused by things other than fat. There are also people who have
central sleep apnea, which may not involve any sort of obstruction.

http://HeartMDPhD.com/OAF

<><

http://HeartMDPhD.com/HolySpirit/Counsels

Zen Cohen wrote:
> "Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD" <love25@thetruth.com> wrote in message
> ....
>> Losing the VAT (black fat) cures sleep apnea...
>
> Yet another reason you have no business practicing medicine. You make
> sweeping claims you can't back up, and sleep docs will tell you that not all
> sleep anea is caused by fat. Though fat may be a major factor in most
> people, there are many people who suffer from sleep apnea because of
> obstructions caused by things other than fat. There are also people who have
> central sleep apnea, which may not involve any sort of obstruction.

at 5'6" and 125 lbs, wearing a size 6 (Canadian, this is size 4 US) i
was diagnosed with sleep apnea

i have a very tiny mouth/throat structure, and i had 9 operations on my
sinus's and including my throat

the combination of those surgeries and the narrow throat structure
combine to cause obstructive sleep apnea for me, and the Pulminologist
who examined me and had the sleep study done, wasn't at all surprised
with the results

oh........... there's the difference....... my Pulminologist has a
practice with patients!

convicted neighbor Kate (Tiger_Lily) wrote:
>
>
> at 5'6" and 125 lbs, wearing a size 6 (Canadian, this is size 4 US) i
> was diagnosed with sleep apnea
>
> i have a very tiny mouth/throat structure, and i had 9 operations on my
> sinus's and including my throat
>
> the combination of those surgeries and the narrow throat structure
> combine to cause obstructive sleep apnea for me, and the Pulminologist
> who examined me and had the sleep study done, wasn't at all surprised
> with the results

http://HeartMDPhD.com/Convicts/PrayForKate

<><

http://HeartMDPhD.com/HolySpirit/Love

Awesome work, Helen! Wonderful that you were able to dig up some
information that will make such a profound difference in your friend's life.
Google and curious personalities make a fine team, don't they?
--
Best regards,
Michelle C., T2
diet & exercise
BMI 21.5


"Helen Back" <SiriusC-63@hotmail.co.uk> wrote in message
news:073f2387-51f4-4f7e-8183-7a2344d7d30b@x35g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
>A dear, dear friend of mine was diagnosed with high blood pressure
> last year and had to begin a course of meds. He is overweight but
> apart from that has healthy cholesterol levels etc.
>
> He was checked over every 3 months and his BP stayed highed. The
> doctor and consultant were baffled as to why his BP remains high, even
> with the meds.
>
> As many of you know, constant high BP can cause major problems and
> result in stroke or heart attack. As I love my friend, I went
> googling! I typed in "anamalous causes of elevated blood pressure".
> Hundreds of pages swept up onto my screen - all referring to "sleep
> apnea".
>
> It took another 3 months or so for me to persuade my friend that he
> may be suffering with this condition - but eventually he got himself
> off back to the docs, mentioned apnea - 2 months later he was in a
> sleep clinic and guess what?
>
> He had one of the worst cases they had ever seen - he is getting the
> equivalent of 2 hours a night and judging from past symptoms has
> probably suffered with it for nearly 10 years! With the apnea, lack of
> sleep, etc he was on his way to major medical catastrophe.
>
> He is back to the clinic to day to get a special breathing apparatus
> that will keep him breathing at night.
>
> Why does it take a curious person to sort these things out!!!!!!!!

On Mon, 12 May 2008 01:04:35 -0700 (PDT), Helen Back
<SiriusC-63@hotmail.co.uk> wrote:

>It took another 3 months or so for me to persuade my friend that he
>may be suffering with this condition - but eventually he got himself
>off back to the docs, mentioned apnea - 2 months later he was in a
>sleep clinic and guess what?

Good for you!!

Nicky.
T2 dx 05/04 + underactive thyroid
D&E, 100ug thyroxine
Last A1c 5.6% BMI 25

Nicky wrote:
> On Mon, 12 May 2008 01:04:35 -0700 (PDT), Helen Back
> <SiriusC-63@hotmail.co.uk> wrote:
>
>
>>It took another 3 months or so for me to persuade my friend that he
>>may be suffering with this condition - but eventually he got himself
>>off back to the docs, mentioned apnea - 2 months later he was in a
>>sleep clinic and guess what?
>
>
> Good for you!!
>

My sister-in-law died on May 11th. due to her heart stopping with sleep
apnea. Several weeks ago she was tested and her heart had stopped 81
times in an hour. She was 71 years old and had type 2 diabetes at a
marginal level (near 126 mg/dl fasting). No, she was not fat either.

Frank

On Tue, 13 May 2008 14:21:01 -0400, Jefferson
<Jefferson@comcast.net> wrote:

>Nicky wrote:
>> On Mon, 12 May 2008 01:04:35 -0700 (PDT), Helen Back
>> <SiriusC-63@hotmail.co.uk> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>It took another 3 months or so for me to persuade my friend that he
>>>may be suffering with this condition - but eventually he got himself
>>>off back to the docs, mentioned apnea - 2 months later he was in a
>>>sleep clinic and guess what?
>>
>>
>> Good for you!!
>>
>
>My sister-in-law died on May 11th. due to her heart stopping with sleep
>apnea. Several weeks ago she was tested and her heart had stopped 81
>times in an hour. She was 71 years old and had type 2 diabetes at a
>marginal level (near 126 mg/dl fasting). No, she was not fat either.
>
>Frank

Sorry to hear that Frank.

Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
d&e, metformin 1500mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
--
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com
Latest:What to Eat Until You Get Your Meter.
and Cambodia
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/2008/03/cambodia.html

On Tue, 13 May 2008 14:21:01 -0400, Jefferson <Jefferson@comcast.net>
wrote:

>My sister-in-law died on May 11th. due to her heart stopping with sleep
>apnea. Several weeks ago she was tested and her heart had stopped 81
>times in an hour. She was 71 years old and had type 2 diabetes at a
>marginal level (near 126 mg/dl fasting). No, she was not fat either.

Condolences, Frank!

Nicky.
T2 dx 05/04 + underactive thyroid
D&E, 100ug thyroxine
Last A1c 5.6% BMI 25

On Wed, 14 May 2008 08:32:51 +0100, Nicky <ukc802466929@btconnect.com>
wrote:

>On Tue, 13 May 2008 14:21:01 -0400, Jefferson <Jefferson@comcast.net>
>wrote:
>
>>My sister-in-law died on May 11th. due to her heart stopping with sleep
>>apnea. Several weeks ago she was tested and her heart had stopped 81
>>times in an hour. She was 71 years old and had type 2 diabetes at a
>>marginal level (near 126 mg/dl fasting). No, she was not fat either.
>
>Condolences, Frank!

Indeed.

G'day G'day Helen,

The wonders of Google?

Your modesty never ceases to amaze me. Imagine for a moment that a
kind neighbor built a garage for a pensioner.

What would it mean to talk about the wonders of a hammer?

In one sense it makes sense since the kind neighbor could discuss what
had happened without drawing attention to their good deed.


That is one very, very lucky friend to have you as a dear friend and
also to have survived for so long with sleep apnea. It can be deadly.
People recognize the snoring and tolerate it after a fashion without
recognising it as a symptom for a deadly condition.

On Mon, 12 May 2008 01:04:35 -0700 (PDT), Helen Back
<SiriusC-63@hotmail.co.uk> wrote:

>A dear, dear friend of mine was diagnosed with high blood pressure
>last year and had to begin a course of meds. He is overweight but
>apart from that has healthy cholesterol levels etc.

He is overweight BUT ... as readers we are taught to regard
everything before the BUT as BS. We are taught that whatever goes
before the BUT can be safely ignored. That is what the writer
intends. Sadly to understand situations where there are elements of
denial see through the BS and take note of what goes before the BUT.
Hey, it works for me. <griN>

Being overweight is important for him.

>He was checked over every 3 months and his BP stayed highed. The
>doctor and consultant were baffled as to why his BP remains high, even
>with the meds.
>
>As many of you know, constant high BP can cause major problems and
>result in stroke or heart attack. As I love my friend, I went
>googling! I typed in "anamalous causes of elevated blood pressure".
>Hundreds of pages swept up onto my screen - all referring to "sleep
>apnea".

Way to go. Yes, Google is a great tool when used as you have done.

>It took another 3 months or so for me to persuade my friend that he
>may be suffering with this condition - but eventually he got himself
>off back to the docs, mentioned apnea - 2 months later he was in a
>sleep clinic and guess what?

I'm amazed at your perseverance. Three months!! That is one lucky
bloke to have a friend with that degree of persistence. What if we
had a show of hands here of who have friends who'd be that persistent
I wonder how many could count on having a friend like that. Lots
could quite legitimately say they wouldn't need a friend to be that
persistent so I wont put the idea to the test.

>He had one of the worst cases they had ever seen - he is getting the
>equivalent of 2 hours a night and judging from past symptoms has
>probably suffered with it for nearly 10 years! With the apnea, lack of
>sleep, etc he was on his way to major medical catastrophe.
>
>He is back to the clinic to day to get a special breathing apparatus
>that will keep him breathing at night.

That is a life saver. If I recall correctly they are called CPAP
machines. These days they come in many versions so for home use and
some for traveling.

Sleep apnea and T2 diabetes can be closely related though not
necessarily so.

>Why does it take a curious person to sort these things out!!!!!!!!

Professionals often look to themselves and their training for the
answers. You didn't have that handicap so you had the freedom to look
elsewhere. Just my thoughts on the matter. Perhaps Googling should
be a prerequisite for medical school students given the simple fact
that information is growing exponentially these days. What else is
scholar.google.com for after all.

Best wishes,
--
Quentin Grady ^ ^ /
New Zealand, >#,#< [
/ \ /\
"... and the blind dog was leading."

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/quentin

On 13 May, 19:21, Jefferson <Jeffer...@comcast.net> wrote:
> Nicky wrote:
> > On Mon, 12 May 2008 01:04:35 -0700 (PDT), Helen Back
> > <SiriusC...@hotmail.co.uk> wrote:
>
> >>It took another 3 months or so for me to persuade my friend that he
> >>may be suffering with this condition - but eventually he got himself
> >>off back to the docs, mentioned apnea - 2 months later he was in a
> >>sleep clinic and guess what?
>
> > Good for you!!
>
> My sister-in-law died on May 11th. due to her heart stopping with sleep
> apnea. *Several weeks ago she was tested and her heart had stopped 81
> times in an hour. *She was 71 years old and had type 2 diabetes at a
> marginal level (near 126 mg/dl fasting). No, she was not fat either.
>
> Frank

HI Frank - sorry to respond so late in the day and so sorry to hear
your loss.

I worried about my friend for so long. He was grouchy, kept falling
asleep at the wheel of his car on long journeys, had dark circles
right around his eyes (like a panda) and his memory got progressively
worse.

And of course, the doctors being puzzled by his high BP was what
bothered me the most - I had to find out what was going on as they
werent prepared to look further than the end of their noses!

I just pray that one way or another, his apnea is sorted out.

On 12 May, 13:03, Chris Malcolm <c...@holyrood.ed.ac.uk> wrote:
> Helen Back <SiriusC...@hotmail.co.uk> wrote:
> > A dear, dear friend of mine was diagnosed with high blood pressure
> > last year and had to begin a course of meds. *He is overweight but
> > apart from that has healthy cholesterol levels etc.
> > He was checked over every 3 months and his BP stayed highed. *The
> > doctor and consultant were baffled as to why his BP remains high, even
> > with the meds.
> > As many of you know, constant high BP can cause major problems and
> > result in stroke or heart attack. *As I love my friend, I went
> > googling! *I typed in "anamalous causes of elevated blood pressure".
> > Hundreds of pages swept up onto my screen - all referring to "sleep
> > apnea".
> > It took another 3 months or so for me to persuade my friend that he
> > may be suffering with this condition - but eventually he got himself
> > off back to the docs, mentioned apnea - 2 months later he was in a
> > sleep clinic and guess what?
> > He had one of the worst cases they had ever seen - he is getting the
> > equivalent of 2 hours a night and judging from past symptoms has
> > probably suffered with it for nearly 10 years! With the apnea, lack of
> > sleep, etc he was on his way to major medical catastrophe.
> > He is back to the clinic to day to get a special breathing apparatus
> > that will keep him breathing at night.
> > Why does it take a curious person to sort these things out!!!!!!!!
>
> I suspect many doctors simply aren't getting enough sleep :-)
>
> Incidentally, I find that the amount I snore (and suffer from sleep
> apnea) is critically related to my weight. If I gain a few pounds it
> gets worse. If I lose a few pounds it gets better. I said "I find" but
> it is my wife who makes the snoring and apnea observations :-)
>
> And it's an oversimplification to say "weight". It's not weight, it's
> fatness. For example, in the last year I haven't lost any weight but
> my snoring and mild apnea have both decreased a lot. And I've lost at
> least one belt notch round the waist. So I've lost fat but gained
> muscle, thus not losing any weight.
>
> --
> Chris Malcolm * * * *c...@infirmatics.ed.ac.uk * * * * * * *DoD #205
> IPAB, *Informatics, *JCMB, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK
> [http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/]- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I do apologise for not responding much sooner! Been busy on the home
front!

My friend is obese, bless him! He gave up smoking 3 years ago and has
substituted with food. He is a very loud snorer and it got
progressively worse as he gained more weight.

The sleep clinic have confirmed that he has probably had the sleep
apnea for a great number of years, before he even gained considerable
weight.

They are consulting with him a on regular basis and he does use the
breathing apparatus which I believe isnt helping him one iota!! What
I dont understand is the mechanism. If the apparatus is there to put
oxygen in when the respiration stops, how can the oxygen actually get
*inhaled* into his lungs? To me, it just blows into his nose or mouth
and to the back of his throat - not actually into his system.

Can anyone enlighten me on this?

On 16 May, 10:25, Quentin Grady <quen...@paradise.net.nz> wrote:
> G'day G'day Helen,
>
> * The wonders of Google? *
>
> Your modesty never ceases to amaze me. Imagine for a moment that a
> kind neighbor built a garage for a pensioner.
>
> What would it mean to talk about the wonders of a hammer? *
>
> In one sense it makes sense since the kind neighbor could discuss what
> had happened without drawing attention to their good deed. *
>
> That is one very, very lucky friend to have you as a dear friend and
> also to have survived for so long with sleep apnea. *It can be deadly.
> People recognize the snoring and tolerate it after a fashion without
> recognising it as a symptom for a deadly condition. * *
>
> On Mon, 12 May 2008 01:04:35 -0700 (PDT), Helen Back
>
> <SiriusC...@hotmail.co.uk> wrote:
> >A dear, dear friend of mine was diagnosed with high blood pressure
> >last year and had to begin a course of meds. *He is overweight but
> >apart from that has healthy cholesterol levels etc.
>
> He is overweight BUT ... * as readers we are taught to regard
> everything before the BUT as BS. *We are taught that whatever goes
> before the BUT can be safely ignored. *That is what the writer
> intends. *Sadly to understand situations where there are elements of
> denial see through the BS and take note of what goes before the BUT.
> Hey, it works for me. *<griN> *
>
> Being overweight is important for him.
>
> >He was checked over every 3 months and his BP stayed highed. *The
> >doctor and consultant were baffled as to why his BP remains high, even
> >with the meds.
>
> >As many of you know, constant high BP can cause major problems and
> >result in stroke or heart attack. *As I love my friend, I went
> >googling! *I typed in "anamalous causes of elevated blood pressure".
> >Hundreds of pages swept up onto my screen - all referring to "sleep
> >apnea".
>
> Way to go. *Yes, Google is a great tool when used as you have done.
>
> >It took another 3 months or so for me to persuade my friend that he
> >may be suffering with this condition - but eventually he got himself
> >off back to the docs, mentioned apnea - 2 months later he was in a
> >sleep clinic and guess what?
>
> I'm amazed at your perseverance. *Three months!! * That is one lucky
> bloke to have a friend with that degree of persistence. *What if we
> had a show of hands here of who have friends who'd be that persistent
> I wonder how many could count on having a friend like that. *Lots
> could quite legitimately say they wouldn't need a friend to be that
> persistent so I wont put the idea to the test. *
>
> >He had one of the worst cases they had ever seen - he is getting the
> >equivalent of 2 hours a night and judging from past symptoms has
> >probably suffered with it for nearly 10 years! With the apnea, lack of
> >sleep, etc he was on his way to major medical catastrophe.
>
> >He is back to the clinic to day to get a special breathing apparatus
> >that will keep him breathing at night.
>
> That is a life saver. If I recall correctly they are called CPAP
> machines. These days they come in many versions so for home use and
> some for traveling. *
>
> Sleep apnea and T2 diabetes can be closely related though not
> necessarily so. *
>
> >Why does it take a curious person to sort these things out!!!!!!!!
>
> Professionals often look to themselves and their training for the
> answers. *You didn't have that handicap so you had the freedom to look
> elsewhere. *Just my thoughts on the matter. *Perhaps Googling should
> be a prerequisite for medical school students given the simple fact
> that information is growing exponentially these days. *What else is
> scholar.google.com for after all.
>
> Best wishes,
> --
> Quentin Grady * * * ^ *^ */
> New Zealand, * * * >#,#< [
> * * * * * * * * * * / \ /\ * *
> "... and the blind dog was leading."
>
> http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/quentin

Hi Quentin - as I back in the land of a.s.d, Ive been searching the
trail of my last posts!! Your responses, as usual, are inspiring and
uplifting.

Thank you for appreciating me and my endeavours.

Take care and bless ya!

HB

On Fri, 27 Jun 2008 01:33:21 -0700 (PDT), Helen Back
<SiriusC-63@hotmail.co.uk> wrote:

>
>My friend is obese, bless him! He gave up smoking 3 years ago and has
>substituted with food. He is a very loud snorer and it got
>progressively worse as he gained more weight.
>
>The sleep clinic have confirmed that he has probably had the sleep
>apnea for a great number of years, before he even gained considerable
>weight.
>
>They are consulting with him a on regular basis and he does use the
>breathing apparatus which I believe isnt helping him one iota!! What
>I dont understand is the mechanism. If the apparatus is there to put
>oxygen in when the respiration stops, how can the oxygen actually get
>*inhaled* into his lungs? To me, it just blows into his nose or mouth
>and to the back of his throat - not actually into his system.
>
>Can anyone enlighten me on this?

I can't enlighten you on sleep apnea. Just a personal
experience. For many years, in the Air Force, I always got
my own room alone when I travelled. I didn't think I snored
(I never heard myself snore - they all lied!), but
apparently it was bad enough to develop a reputation. I
wasn't grossly overweight in those days, but on the very
edge of acceptable for military regs.

When I was diagnosed my long-suffering wife commented that
one of the first things to disappear when I shed the kilos
was the severe snoring problem. It has never returned since
I lost that excess.

I'm not making any claims. Just my own story. My brother
uses a CPAP.


Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
--
d&e, metformin 1500mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alan_s/
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com (On Indian Roads)

On 27 Jun, 09:53, Alan S <loralgtweightandca...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Fri, 27 Jun 2008 01:33:21 -0700 (PDT), Helen Back
>
>
>
>
>
> <SiriusC...@hotmail.co.uk> wrote:
>
> >My friend is obese, bless him! *He gave up smoking 3 years ago and has
> >substituted with food. *He is a very loud snorer and it got
> >progressively worse as he gained more weight.
>
> >The sleep clinic have confirmed that he has probably had the sleep
> >apnea for a great number of years, before he even gained considerable
> >weight.
>
> >They are consulting with him a on regular basis and he does use the
> >breathing apparatus which I believe isnt helping him one iota!! *What
> >I dont understand is the mechanism. *If the apparatus is there to put
> >oxygen in when the respiration stops, how can the oxygen actually get
> >*inhaled* into his lungs? *To me, it just blows into his nose or mouth
> >and to the back of his throat - not actually into his system.
>
> >Can anyone enlighten me on this?
>
> I can't enlighten you on sleep apnea. Just a personal
> experience. For many years, in the Air Force, I always got
> my own room alone when I travelled. I didn't think I snored
> (I never heard myself snore - they all lied!), but
> apparently it was bad enough to develop a reputation. I
> wasn't grossly overweight in those days, but on the very
> edge of acceptable for military regs. *
>
> When I was diagnosed my long-suffering wife commented that
> one of the first things to disappear when I shed the kilos
> was the severe snoring problem. It has never returned since
> I lost that excess.
>
> I'm not making any claims. Just my own story. My brother
> uses a CPAP.
>
> Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
> --
> d&e, metformin 1500mg, ezetrol 10mg
> Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.comhtt...logspot.com(On Indian Roads)- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Thanks Alan. He had a check up the other day and his oxygen levels
are well withint the normal - so the machine IS working!!!
So, I dont need to understand it - as long as its keeping him from
further health issues. His BP is down considerably too - which was
the reason why I went searching for causes in the first place )

Cheers to everyone who responded - love you guys!!! )))))

On Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:53:46 +1000, Alan S
<loralgtweightandcarbs@gmail.com> wrote:

>When I was diagnosed my long-suffering wife commented that
>one of the first things to disappear when I shed the kilos
>was the severe snoring problem. It has never returned since
>I lost that excess.

When I was diagnosed as having border line sleep apnea along with loud
snoring I enquired about an operation using microwaves to shrink the
back of the throat. The specialist who was to perform the operation
told me I needed to lose 7 kg before he'd do the operation. I asked
why, thinking it was for some safety reason. To my surprise he
informed me that the operation would probably fail. Hmmm.

So I asked him what would happen if I lost 14 kg. He informed me I
wouldn't need the operation. Well I lost 20 kg and kept it off
without any difficulty for six years. The operation would have failed
so I'm told by a specialist who didn't have a vested interest in the
prognosis. My snoring is caused by a fractured nose not the back of
throat as is commonly the case.

Since then I've lost a further 10 kg though chemo for cancer might
have had some influence on that.

Best wishes,
--
Quentin Grady ^ ^ /
New Zealand, >#,#< [
/ \ /\
"... and the blind dog was leading."

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/quentin